Preview: Spine

Clara Brennan is currently developing a movie about Janis Joplin. Nick Ahad reports by Susan Darlington.
RIGHTEOUS ANGER: Spine comes to Sheffield. Picture: Richard Davenport.RIGHTEOUS ANGER: Spine comes to Sheffield. Picture: Richard Davenport.
RIGHTEOUS ANGER: Spine comes to Sheffield. Picture: Richard Davenport.

It’s a big subject, but then the playwright is used to taking on big stories and making them seem vital, urgent and compelling, particularly if her latest multiple-award winning show is anything to go by.

Spine is a very highly regarded play that debuted at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2014, but makes its way to Yorkshire for the first time this week when it comes to the Sheffield Crucible Studio tonight and tomorrow.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

First seen as a 15-minute piece at Theatre Uncut, the play is a monologue that tackles the issue of library closures.

Following that showing, Brennan beefed up the story and, while keeping it as a monologue, introduced some new characters.

The result is a play that still takes on the injustice of library closures, but also charts the explosive friendship between a ferocious wise-cracking teenager and a mischievous activist pensioner.

In the production actor Rosie Wyatt plays both roles.

Since the play debuted in its full-length form at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2014, it has won a Fringe First, The Stage Award for Acting Excellence and a Herald Angel Award.

Spine by Clara Brennan is at the Sheffield Crucible Studio tonight and tomorrow.

Tickets from the box office on 0114 2496000 or online at www.sheffield-theatres.co.uk

Related topics: